It felt incredibly bizarre to wake up on Wednesday morning to the news that Donald Trump was elected president again and then immediately begin working on our holiday gift guide. How can I think about the holidays and buying gifts at a time like this? This is usually the most fun issue of the year to work on, but I have been in no state whatsoever to have fun when I know what the next four years hold.
Chances are, you’re probably in the same boat. I know the election results had a serious negative impact on the mental health of my loved ones — coupled with the time change and earlier nights, cold and dreary weather, and cold and flu season arriving, seasonal depression will likely be pretty severe for many of us who are in mourning over another Trump presidency. How do we celebrate at a time like this?
Even though many of us are feeling like there’s nothing to celebrate right now, it’s imperative we allow ourselves access to the joy, connection, and love of the holidays.
Stay Connected
Now more than ever, we must stay connected to our communities. Remember the reason for the season: this is the time to turn to your loved ones. Plan a holiday potluck or white elephant party, get the girls together at the new holiday pop-up bar, and ensure you can actually enjoy your family celebrations by maintaining strict boundaries. Skip events where you know problematic, Trump-supporting family members will attend (if that’s your whole family, ask your bestie if you can join them and their family this year) or disinvite those crappy family members if you have the power to do so. We need people right now, but only those who are positive and loving influences in our lives.
Make sure to stay connected to your community as well. As the nights get colder, volunteer with Sol Underground to help Atlanta’s homeless population or fund a warming pack, donate to a warm coat drive, or send holiday cards to incarcerated survivors of sexual abuse through Words of Hope.
Stay Nostalgic
We all need comforting coping mechanisms right now, and there’s no greater time for the comfort of nostalgia than the holidays. Allow yourself the freedom to indulge in your favorite Christmas movies and music. Bake and decorate cookies with your partner. Write “from Santa” on your gift tags. See the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer puppet show at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Become a kid again, even if only for a couple of days.
If you need an extra dose of holiday cheer, attend the Atlanta Women’s Chorus’ Holiday in the Movies concert on December 7. The chorus will be performing songs from all your favorite holiday movies, from 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis to 2017’s A Bad Moms Christmas. I’m a member of the chorus, and I’ve been repeatedly moved to tears at rehearsals. It will be the perfect opportunity to indulge in some feel-good holiday warm and fuzzies while supporting Atlanta’s queer arts.
Stay Mindful
Here’s the truth about the holidays: you’ll be spending a lot of money. With the emotional fallout of the election, it will be more tempting than ever to indulge in the fleeting dopamine rush of overspending. While holiday nostalgia is a harmless coping mechanism to turn to, overconsumption is not, and turning to shopping to feel better will ultimately leave you (and your wallet) feeling empty. When reading through this issue, stay mindful of your financial situation this holiday season and only purchase gifts if you know they will be well-loved. Opt for handmade gifts if you’re crafty, or if you have a big friend group, organize a secret Santa instead of buying everyone something.
Life is going to be hard enough next year: don’t make things harder for 2025 you by spending too much money because it made 2024 you feel better for 30 seconds.
Stay Hopeful
It’s likely that none of the above tips will make you feel completely at peace and joyful this holiday season. Watching holiday movies where the bad guy loses and Goodness prevails will likely fall extremely flat right now. Music about kindness and love may sound hollow. This election was a huge loss, and it’s necessary to mourn that, but right now, we need radical hope; we cannot give up. Now is the time to start believing in magic again, because when we commit to showing up for one another and fighting as long as there is breath in our lungs, that’s exactly what we create: magic.